No injuries in New London basement fire

A New London firefighter is shrouded in smoke as he breaks the basement windows for ventilation at the scene of a basement fire at 50 Reyquinn St. in New London on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Two residents were home at the time of the fire. There were no reported injuries. (Tim Cook/The Day)

New London — Firefighters on Saturday afternoon knocked down a basement fire in about five minutes at 50 Reyquinn St.

Crews remain on scene investigating the fire, which was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m and caused no injuries.

New London Battalion Chief Edward Sargent said the first engine company arrived to see heavy smoke from the basement and first floor of the house, where two occupants already had exited. Firefighters stretched a hose line into the basement and had the fire completely extinguished within about 15 minutes, Sargent said.

Mayor Michael Passero, a former firefighter who lives nearby, said a neighbor alerted him to the fire and he became "just an extra pair of hands" helping with venting before "the troops arrived and I backed off. I reverted back to my former life for two minutes. They had it knocked down quickly."

In addition to the New London Fire Department, the Subbase FAST team, Groton Ambulance and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital paramedics responded but were not needed, Sargent said.

A New London firefighter pulls a hose line across the front lawn at 50 Reyquinn St. in New London on Saturday, April 21, 2018, as firefighters work the scene of a basement fire at the residence. Two residents were home at the time of the fire. There were no reported injuries. (Tim Cook/The Day)

A New London firefighter exits the basement at 50 Reyquinn St. in New London on Saturday, April 21, 2018, as firefighters work the scene of a basement fire. Two residents were home at the time of the fire. There were no reported injuries. (Tim Cook/The Day)

A New London firefighter removes the front door at 50 Reyquinn St. in New London on Saturday, April 21, 2018, as firefighters work the scene of a basement fire. Two residents were home at the time of the fire. There were no reported injuries. (Tim Cook/The Day)

New London firefighters work the scene of a basement fire at 50 Reyquinn St. in New London on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Two residents were home at the time of the fire. There were no reported injuries. (Tim Cook/The Day)